Travel and Blessings
Covid has really put a lot of our lives out of balance. Plans didn’t happen and it’s hard to think about the future and make plans. The world seems to have different rules and settings. Someone told me it fells like the twilight zone.
Pilar and I, because of Covid and very cheap flights, were able to travel to Alaska. During that time I got to know someone I went through AIM with but with whom I never really knew before. I also got a glimpse into a congregation that is blessed by having built and formed a diverse community that truly loves to be around each other and who give such warm hospitality. I saw huge landscapes that God made and watched those landscapes transform as fall came and almost ended (so fast is the season) and the green leaves turned yellow, then gold and then fell.
This month we also went to visit our sponsoring congregation: Southgate Church of Christ in San Angelo. I was asked to teach a women’s class on evangelism and, although I’m not used to giving classes in thirty minutes (as those in Sucre can attest) it was a blessing. I miss ministry. Groups on zoom are a great tool, not just because of quarantines but also because of distances. We’re able to connect with people far away and see them because of things like zoom. But it lacks the intimacy of being physically present with one another. There is just something about being with another person that is uplifting and allows more transparency. So I continue trying to encourage and teach on zoom but I appreciated the opportunity of being able to do it in person.
At Southgate I also got with the missions committee. Each time I get with them I am reminded by how blessed our team is to have them as sponsors. Again, this year is nothing like what we had planned. We all are trying to minister and encourage where we are and we continue as a team and individually to investigate Argentine cities and think about the ministry we want to start there, but obviously we are not there yet. Borders are still closed and with new borns it would not be smart to travel at this time anyway. Southgate asked questions, understood the uncertainty of our answers and then focused on how they could encourage us and asked how we were handling this time. This shouldn’t be so amazing- but anyone who has ever dealt with these things will recognize that this is not always the norm. The norm would be doubts, a need for exact answers, a backing away from our team since we are not in Argentina yet. But they love us and believe in us and truly have empathy for our situation.
Unknowns abound, but God will enable.
Phil. 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
1 Chr. 28:20 “... Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.”
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